Feature Photo … Bishop’s Cup 2023 …
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Category Archives: Parish News
Trunk or treat/fall festivals
COLUMBUS – Annunciation, Fall Festival, Sunday, Oct. 29 from 4-6:30 p.m. on College Street in Downtown Columbus. We are joining with First Methodist Church and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church for a huge event. No pets, please. Enjoy trunk or treat, cake walk, games, crafts, door prizes, face painting, costume contest, hall of saints and food. Details: church office (662) 328-2927.
CLEVELAND – Our Lady of Victories, Halloween Carnival, Sunday, Oct. 29 following 5 p.m. Mass. Candy donations needed. Details: Natalie at (228) 861-7253.
FLOWOOD – St. Paul, Trunk or Treat, Saturday, Oct. 28 at 6:30 p.m. Sign up your trunk today! Help us bring the best and safest Halloween event to all. Details: church office (601) 992-9547.
GREENVILLE – St. Joseph School, Trunk or Treat, Tuesday, Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. in the St. Joseph Lourdes parking lot. Trunks are needed! Details: Olivia at (601) 906-3902.
GREENWOOD – Immaculate Heart of Mary, CYO Spaghetti Supper and Halloween Festival, Monday, Oct. 23. Spaghetti supper $15 – starts at 4:30 p.m. Dine in, carry out or drive-thru. Carnival on the green at 5:30 p.m. Bingo begins at 6 p.m. Cakes needed for cake walk. Details: church office (662) 453-3980.
HERNANDO – Holy Spirit, Trunk or Treat, Sunday, Oct. 29 in the parking lot from 3-5 p.m. Sign your trunk up today! Adult prizes for most creative trunk display. Event for ages up to fifth grade. Enjoy games, face painting and treats! Costume awards for children. Details: Kim at (662) 719-4116.
HOLLY SPRINGS – St. Joseph, Harvest Festival, Sunday, Oct. 22 at 3 p.m. Youth led Mass and fun! Join us for an afternoon of fun, games, music, dancing, food and fellowship as we celebrate being Catholic. Details: church office (662) 252-3138.
JACKSON – St. Richard School, Cardinal Fest, Sunday, Oct. 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Purchase a $20 wristband for all the fun! Includes food, games, entertainment and one cake walk ticket. Details: school office (601) 366-1157.
MADISON – St. Francis of Assisi, Knights of Columbus Trunk or Treat event, Oct. 25 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the parking lot in front of St. Thomas. Join us for food, fun and fellowship! Prizes awarded for best decorated trunk, best costumes for kids and adults and best decorated pumpkin. Details: church office (601) 856-5556.
St. Joseph School, Trunk or Treat on Tuesday, Oct. 24 from 5-6:30 p.m. in the campus parking lot. Details: school office (601) 898-4800.
MERIDIAN – St. Patrick, Fall Festival, Friday, Oct. 27 from 6-8 p.m. at the Family Life Center. Games, costume contest, cake walk and more. Food and drink available for purchase. Volunteers needed, contact Kasey at (601) 692-6360. Details: church office (601) 693-1321.
NATCHEZ – St. Mary Basilica, Trunk or Treat, Monday, Oct. 30 at 6 p.m. in the parking lot at the corner of S. Union and State Streets. Details: church office (601) 445-5616.
NEW ALBANY – St. Francis of Assisi, Trunk or Treat from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 31. Best dressed Saint wins a special gift. Details: church office (662) 534-4654.
OLIVE BRANCH – Queen of Peace, Halloween Bash, Sunday, Oct. 29 beginning at 5 p.m. Enjoy games, food, trunk or treat and more. All are welcome! Details: church office (662) 895-5007.
PHILADELPHIA – Holy Rosary, Halloween Party, Sunday, Oct. 29 from 5-7:30 p.m. in the parish hall. Costume, mummy wrap and pumpkin carving contests. Also enjoy food, music and treat bags! Details: church office (601) 656-2880.
SOUTHAVEN – Christ the King, Halloween Bash, Tuesday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m. for youth through fifth grade. Cost: One large bag of candy. Concessions available. Details: church office (662) 342-1073.
TUPELO – St. James, Fall Fest, Wednesday, Oct. 25 from 5-8 p.m. Enjoy trunk or treat, games, activities and food. Be sure to wear your saint costume. Details: church office (662) 842-4881.
St. James, High School Fall Lock-in, from Oct. 27 at 6:30 p.m. until Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. in the St. James gym. Cost: $40. Enjoy pizza, bon fire, pumpkin painting, movies, fellowship and more. Details: youth director (662) 871-6277.
VICKSBURG – Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary, Trunk or Treat, Sunday, Oct. 29 at 5 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall (310 Fisher Ferry Road). Details: call (601) 636-8372.
ADULT HALLOWEEN GATHERING
SOUTHAVEN – Christ the King, Cocktails & Cadavers, Saturday, Oct. 28 in the social hall. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and party from 7-10 p.m. Join us for an adult Halloween fright night of dancing, food, fellowship and music by DJ Fernando. Tickets are $25 per person. BYOB. Costume and door prizes. Details: Loretta at (901) 634-8157 for tickets or more information.
Calendar of Events
PARISH, FAMILY & SCHOOL EVENTS
BROOKHAVEN – St. Francis, Life Chain for Respect Life Month, Saturday, Oct. 28 at 11 a.m. Participants will be located on Brookway Boulevard sidewalks east of Hwy 51 and will be provided appropriate Respect Life posters to exhibit. Details: church office (601) 833-1799.
FLOWOOD – Homegrown Harvest Fest, sponsored by office of vocations, Saturday, Oct. 21 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Paul parish. Proceeds support our seven diocesan seminarians. Evening includes dinner, silent auction and fellowship. Details: Tickets can be purchased at bit.ly/HGHarvest2023.
GREENVILLE St. Joseph School, Homecoming Tailgating, Friday, Oct. 20. Fee is $50. Tent setup at 5 p.m. Details: cmandolini@stjoeirish.org or John at (601) 415-1551.
HERNANDO – Holy Spirit, Veterans Mass, Sunday, Nov. 12 after 9:30 a.m. Mass. Information needed by Oct. 29 – rank, branch, veteran of war and photo in uniform. Details: church office (662) 429-7851.
JACKSON – Cathedral of St. Peter, Knights of Columbus “Coats for the Community” drive. Donate new or gently used coats before Mass on Oct. 28-29 and Nov. 4-5. Details: church office (601) 969-3125.
Catholic Charities, Purple Dress Run, Thursday, Oct. 19 at 6 p.m. at The District at Eastover. Grab your best purple dress and join us for a 5K run/walk to benefit Charities Shelter for Battered Families. Register at raceroster.com/78874. Details: Rachel Travis at (601) 326-3703.
St. Richard, Special Kids Golf tournament at Deerfield Country Club in Canton on Thursday, Oct. 19. Details: church office (601) 366-2335, saintrichard.com or Kristin at thedohertyteam@gmail.com.
St. Richard School, Cardinal Booster Club Dinner, Thursday, Nov. 9 with Coach Mike Bianco of Ole Miss. Cost $250 per ticket (admits two). Enjoy Mass at 5:15, then cocktail social, silent auction and “meet and greet” with Coach Bianco, catered dinner at 6:45 p.m. with address by Coach. Deadline for ticket purchase is Friday, Oct. 20. Details: Coach Nelson rnelson@saintrichardschool.org.
Theology of Tap, Wednesday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. at Martin’s Downtown. Guest speaker is Father Nick Adam. For adults, 21+. Details: email amelia.rizor@jacksondiocese.org.
MADISON – St. Joseph School, Bingo Games, Sunday, Oct. 22 in the cafeteria. Early bird games at 1:30 p.m.; regular games at 2 p.m. Must be age 25 to play but all ages welcome to attend. Details: school office (601) 898-4800.
MAGNOLIA – St. James, Garage Sale, Saturday Dec. 2, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (125 E Bay Street) Details: call (985) 665-0868.
MERIDIAN – St. Patrick, Candy Cane 5k Dash and Fun Run, Saturday, Dec. 2. Details: register at https://bit.ly/CandyCane2023.
OLIVE BRANCH – Queen of Peace, Men’s Club Fellowship Card Night, Friday, Oct. 20 from 6-10 p.m. All parishioners and guests welcome. For $10 each, participant will receive dinner, a non-alcoholic beverage and 100 poker chips. Beverages available for donation. Sign up today! Details: Tracy at (901) 828-4848.
PEARL – St. Jude, Day-trip Pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Alabama, Saturday, Oct. 28. Tour the Shrine, Mass, Adoration and more. Cost est. $75. Details: email kmcgregor@stjudepearl.org or call (601) 939-3181.
Smokin’ fundraiser for Young Apostles group, holiday meat sale after each Mass through Nov. 5. Details: Lauren at roberts0677@bellsouth.net.
SHAW – St. Francis of Assisi, Spaghetti dinner, Tuesday, Oct. 17 from 5-7 p.m. Tickets $15. Drive-thru only from parish hall. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Details: church office (662) 754-5561.
SOUTHAVEN – Christ the King, Pumpkin Patch through Oct. 30. Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 12-7 p.m. Details: church office (662) 342-1073.
Christ the King, Gala Dinner with World Youth Day Community, Saturday, Oct. 21 from 5:30-8 p.m. in the religious ed building. Delicious food, keynote speeches by youth leaders, live performances, inspiring stories of personal triumph, door prize religious articles from Fatima and Lisbon and more! Cost: family ticket $50 (3 adults and 2 or more kids); Adult ticket for one $20. Details: church office (662) 342-1073.
TUPELO – St. James, Rummage Sale, Saturday, Nov. 4 from 7:30-11 a.m. in Shelton hall. Details: Bobbie at (662) 372-1087.
VICKSBURG – Knights of Columbus 898, Holiday smoked meat sale. Butts, turkey and loins $50; Half Chicken 2 for $8; Turkey breast $35; and Half ham $40. Order by Nov. 15 at https://kc898.square.site. Pick up Sunday, Nov. 19 from 12-4 p.m. at KC Hall, 310 Fisher Ferry Road. Details: Paul at (601) 529-1710.
Knights of Columbus 898, Food drive for Storehouse Community food pantry on Sat. Nov. 4 at the Corner Market.
WINONA – Sacred Heart, Communi-tea Festivi-tea event, Saturday, Nov. 11 from 12-3 p.m. in the fellowship hall. Cost: adults $15 and children (under 12) $12. Tickets available at Crossroads Jewelers or call Marlene at (662) 307-0831. Details: Barbara at (256) 506-5007.
SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT
CHOCTAW – The Choctaw Bible Translation program is having a week long program of Choctaw Bible Stories the week of Oct. 16-20 at 5 p.m. in the Pearl River CERF building. Choctaw singing, with bible stories in English and Choctaw! Mark your calendar and plan to enjoy this special program. Details: https://choctawbible.com.
GREENWOOD – Locus Benedictus, Healing Retreat with Maria Vadia on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is no fee to attend. A love offering will be taken. Details: to register email contactlocusbenedictus@gmail.com or call (662) 299-1232.
Wreaths Across America participation deadline approaches – a patriotic program sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Bishop R.O. Gerow Assembly 554 –
By Staff Reports
CLINTON – Knights of Columbus Assembly 554 is once again participating in the Wreaths Across America program.
This patriotic program has grown from humble beginnings during the Christmas season of 1992, when wreaths were placed on veteran graves in an older section of Arlington Nation Cemetery, into a national event.
In 2022 on Wreaths Across America day 2.7 million wreaths were placed on veteran graves with the help of over 2 million volunteers at 3702 cemeteries nationwide.
Assembly 554 sponsors two locations, the Clinton Cemetery Association and Cedar Grove cemetery. Both cemeteries are located on East College Street in Clinton. The assembly has identified upwards of 300 veteran gravesites and is looking for individuals, small businesses or corporations to sponsor wreath purchases.
Wreaths can be purchased online at kofc554.org, by downloading a sales form and mailing to listed address, or from members of Assembly 554.
Wreaths can also be purchased for a specific veteran at either of our sponsored locations, or for veterans buried at other locations. (Wreaths purchased for veterans at other locations may be picked up at 3 p.m. in the parking lot of Holy Savior Catholic Church on the corner of Lindale Street and Old Vicksburg Road Clinton.)
The wreaths are made with Maine balsam with a red, hand tied, weatherproof velveteen bow approximately 22” in diameter. The cost per wreath is $17.
This year Wreaths Across America day is Saturday, Dec. 16. In Clinton, the program will begin with a ceremony honoring veterans at 12 p.m. at the War Memorial in the Clinton Cemetery, 500 East College Street followed by wreath placement on veteran graves at both the Clinton Cemetery and Cedar Grove Cemetery.
Anyone wishing to participate in the laying of wreaths is welcome. There is no parking in the cemeteries, but Pleasant Green Mission Baptist Church, located across the street from the cemeteries, allows volunteers to park in their lot.
For more information about this event or for assistance purchasing wreaths please contact Bill O’Connor at (601) 906-8890.
The deadline for all wreath purchasing for Wreath Across America Day 2023 is Saturday, Nov. 25.
Parishioners share parish origin story on feast of St. Therese
By Berta Mexidor
KOSCIUSKO – A special Mass was celebrated by Bishop Joseph Kopacz, and concelebrated by Father Marco Sanchez, ST, to celebrate the patronal feast of St. Therese of the Child Jesus on Sunday, Oct. 1.
Over two days of celebration, parishioners were able to enjoy a permanent exhibit press articles and photos donated by the Joseph family following the passing of patriarch Louis Joseph.
All the documents and notes came into the hands of Marilyn Scott, a parishioner of St. Therese since 1969. She, along with Vicky Bell Pope, and others, undertook the task of chronologically compiling the history of the church with the documents received.
Additionally, Bell Pope painted reproductions of “The Cabin,” which gave birth to the church, and of the story of Father Julian M. Guillou, riding a horse on his journey from Yazoo to Kosciusko.
Scott says that this was a “glorious” celebration and noting that “…we have been very blessed to receive these historic documents and also by the presence of Trinitarian priests who have taken charge of the parish.”
The Joseph family are considered the founder of the parish since Mr. and Mrs. Joseph began writing letters to Bishop R.O. Gerow and the town of Kosciusko to help build a church for the growing Catholic community.
“In June 1940, Bishop Gerow dedicated the church to St. Therese of the Child Jesus. The energetic young pastor, the Joseph family, other young members, and a new chapel meant there was Catholic activity like Kosciusko had never seen,” said Scott, reading a prepared statement during the Mass.
The departed Louis Joseph wrote in his original letter to Bishop Gerow: “I know in my heart and soul that our parents were guided to Central Mississippi by our good Lord, to not only raise a wonderful family but to help bring the church to our little town.”
(Marilyn Scott, and Father Marco Sanchez, ST contributed to this story)
Family answers ‘yes to the Lord’s invitation’ for mission work
By Joe Lee
JACKSON – Imagine being very successful in your profession. You and your spouse have a wonderful family, are blessed with many friends and are active church members.
But something crucial is missing from your lives.
“I had always done well in commercial real estate and banking,” said Saul Keeton, a native of the Jackson area who became Catholic in 2001. “But (my wife) Jan and I had a growing dissatisfaction with what the world had to offer us … we sensed the Lord wanting something radical from us.”
Jan Keeton, a cradle Catholic originally from Stafford, Texas, considered the idea of foreign missions for the first time in 2018. But with young children at home (the Keeton kids range from age 20 down to seven), planning such a trip was complicated.
“A Methodist college friend was very involved in supporting a school in Haiti, and she invited me to go with her several times,” Jan said. “Eventually it dawned on me that the only way I’d get to go on a mission trip was if (our entire family) went together.”
Through a simple Google search, Jan learned of Family Missions Company (FMC) and was delighted to learn that in addition to being a Catholic organization, FMC was based in Abbeville, Louisiana, only 250 miles from Jackson.
“All the FMC missionaries and staff live in Gospel poverty, meaning they have all they need to live and nothing more,” Saul said. “Most of my questions (amounted to), ‘What would it be like for our kids to go from living in American suburbia to living in the desert, the jungle or a barrio?’”
Their first mission trip was to General Cepeda, Mexico, in 2018. Saul recalls reading aloud to Jan his journal entries from that week.
“We cried about it together in a jumble of emotions: anticipation, anxiety, relief, excitement, unworthiness,” he said. “I think we experienced all simultaneously. We intensified our spiritual direction with Father Anthony Quyet after the trip and, praise be to God, he confirmed our missionary call.”
They applied with FMC to be full-time foreign missionaries and were accepted. With the new formation year beginning that fall, the couple faced the choice of entering formation within a few weeks or waiting until fall 2019. They chose the latter, wanting the extra year to get their affairs in order and build a team of missionary supporters.
They also wanted time to pray about their son Nicholas’s 2018 diagnosis of autism.
“We knew the Lord was in control,” Saul said, “but trusting in Jesus is pretty easy until a serious trial comes along. And it was hard to see the path ahead more than one step at a time.”
Saul made another mission trip to Mexico in early 2019 with the couple’s four oldest kids, and Jan made one to Costa Rica that year, but they felt the Lord wanted them to put down roots in Jackson and dove headfirst into autism therapy.
Then, in summer 2022, they again heard the Lord’s call to go back into mission work and relocated from Jackson to Abbeville.
“I gratefully accepted the position of Director of Mission Advancement for FMC,” Saul said. “I oversee all fundraising efforts, donor relations, our marketing team, our two retreat centers, and foreign mission trips. For the last year, my family has lived in missionary housing in community with many of the other families that are part of the FMC administrative staff.
“Many people mistakenly believe that the Gospel has been taken to the whole world … that couldn’t be further from the truth. While there are hundreds of organizations that have sprung up in the last 60 years to serve the church in the U.S., I know of no other that is so focused on taking the Gospel to places where it hasn’t been heard yet.”
While the Keetons’ family service with FMC looks different than Saul and Jan envisioned, they look for opportunities to preach the Gospel around their mission post whenever possible.
“I spoke (recently) to 40 high school kids at one of our retreat centers on serving and loving the poor,” Saul said. “When the poor need a water well, we’ll dig one. Or we’ll mix and pour concrete to replace a dirt floor. We’ll also listen and offer a shoulder to cry on – and cry with them – when emotional support is needed.”
“We do find plenty of opportunities to practice the Corporal Works of Mercy within our own family,” Jan said. “This has had a profound experience on our own hearts.
“It’s easy to forget sometimes how hard it is for many people to say yes to the Lord’s invitation. Through much prayer, we’ve said it twice now, and we’re surrounded by people who’ve also given up everything to follow Him. But that shouldn’t dull us to the shock people feel when their consciences are shaken awake for the first time.”
One of the only lay-run Catholic foreign missionary organizations in the U.S., Family Mission Company have more than 200 missionaries serving in nine countries around the world. They work with the blessing of Bishop Douglas Deshotel of the Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana. To support FMC, or to reach Saul or Jan Keeton and learn more about international mission work, visit familymissionscompany.com.
Sister Mary Anne Poeshel, RSM celebrates 60th jubilee
CANTON – Pictured is Father Guy Wilson, ST conferring a blessing upon Sister Mary Anne Poeshel, RSM, celebrating her 60th anniversary as a religious sister on Sunday, Sept. 10 at Holy Child Jesus Church. She entered the Sisters of Mercy in St. Louis on Sept. 8, 1963, entering religious life in the midst of the Second Vatican Council. Sister Mary Anne has served “faithfully and dynamically” at Holy Child Jesus, Canton for 21 years, said Father Guy. With no resident priest living at the parish, Sister Mary Anne is the on site director of the church, coordinating the community’s activities and outreach. She also serves as director of religious ed at Holy Child Jesus and Sacred Heart Church in Camden. (Photo courtesy of Father Guy Wilson)
God and country: St. Alphonsus pastor becomes an American citizen
By Mack Spencer, Enterprise-Journal
MCCOMB – St. Alphonsus Catholic Church is having a celebration as American as apple pie on Sunday.
There are no guarantees that dessert will be available in Liguori Hall, but those summer staples of hamburgers and hot dogs will be plentiful.
As American as the food fare will be, so, too, is the honoree. St. Al’s pastor, Father Suresh Thirumalareddy, is the star of that show, and a naturalized citizen of the United States after a ceremony in New Orleans in June.
Growing up in India, Father Suresh didn’t think much about visiting the United States, and had never harbored a desire to seek American citizenship, though many Indians view this country positively and want to visit, if not immigrate.
“In India, people look at the United States as being a powerful nation – the greatest, most powerful nation on earth,” Father Suresh said. “That’s what we are taught. When people think about leaving, the first option is always to go to America.”
Eventually, he felt a call to take the opportunity afforded through a loan program between his home Guntur Diocese in southern India and the Jackson Diocese to become what could be called an exchange priest here, where there is a shortage of priests to fill the pulpits – but just for a while.
“My dad’s intention was that I would come here and serve as long as I wanted, and then I would come back to my home church,” he said. “I abided by that when he was alive.”
His father died at home after the start of the second wave of COVID-19 in India, following a 15-day stay in a hospital’s intensive care unit with the virus and complications, including two heart attacks.
Father Suresh became close to his predecessor, Father Brian Kaskie, in 2014, when he moved to Pike County after a year in Meridian with an appointment at St. Teresa Catholic Church in Chatawa, which served the nuns of St. Mary of the Pines.
The death of Kaskie, a friend and mentor, as well as his father, coupled with the ongoing priest shortage, led Father Suresh to seriously consider seeking American citizenship.
“I wanted to settle here and join the community,” he said. “My family said, ‘you have given your life to the Lord, you decide what you want.’
“So I started a new life. I said yes to America, and that I would follow the rules of America and be part of the culture and support America where I can.”
Father Suresh applied for and received both his voter identification and an American passport after his naturalization, and he voted in an American election for the first time in this year’s primary. India does not allow dual citizenship, so he sent his original passport to the Indian consulate in Atlanta for cancelation.
India will send him a renunciation certificate, after which he will be able to travel back home on his American passport, but unable to work or buy land in the country.
He has settled into American society despite difficulties when he first came to this country.
“The first year here, I struggled,” he said. “I missed the food, my family and my culture. I lost 28 pounds. I craved Indian food. Now, when I get the chance, I cook Indian food.
“I came to Chatawa in 2014, and I started eating American food with Father Brian. I like American food now. Popeye’s spicy chicken is good, and I like burgers, lobster and crab claws we used to get at the Caboose.”
While quite familiar with English – some authorities consider India to be the largest English-speaking country in the world, due to its colonial history in the British Raj – Father Suresh was sent to two months of classes in Meridian to lessen his accent.
While food and Southern drawls took some getting used to, other aspects of Mississippi were more familiar.
Mississippi’s summer heat, especially with this year’s string of days in the triple digits, reminded Father Suresh of home, though even the temperatures of 102 and 103 paled somewhat beside the 115 to 120 often experienced in India.
He tries to use the four weeks of vacation afforded him each year to visit friends and family in India during the cooler months, as he has acclimated to Mississippi’s temperature range.
He’s also used to a mix of religions, as southern India has large Catholic and Protestant populations as well as Hindu and Muslim, and they live fairly congenially and harmoniously; whereas northern India is largely Hindu, and the border regions with Pakistan are prone to clashes between Hindus and Muslims.
“It’s peaceful in the south” of India, he said. “There is no threat to Christians, especially in the south. There are friendly relations with Hindus and Muslims. When we had church events, many Hindus would come to celebrate with us. (Hindu) nationalists are not prevalent.”
Despite the difficulties and the differences, Father Suresh is glad to have taken the opportunity to come to Mississippi.
“God blessed me to come here,” he said. “I am happy to work here and serve this church. My life is meant to serve people, and in doing that, I have found another family.”
(Reprinted with permission of the Enterprise-Journal, Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.)
Feature Photo … Blue Mass Blessing …
Calendar of Events
PARISH, FAMILY & SCHOOL EVENTS
CLEVELAND – Our Lady of Victories, Blessing of the Animals, Sunday, Oct. 1 at 3 p.m., in honor of St. Francis of Assisi. Details: olvcc@att.net or call (662)-846-6273.
COLUMBUS – Annunciation, Loaves & Fishes Fundraiser, Thursday, Oct. 19 at the activity center. Pick-up times 5-6 p.m. or 6-7 p.m. Tickets $15, must purchase in advance at parish. Meal: pork loin, potato salad, coleslaw, beans, cornbread and dessert. Details: church office (662) 328-2927.
FLOWOOD – Homegrown Harvest Fest, sponsored by office of vocations, Saturday, Oct. 21 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Paul parish. Proceeds support our seven diocesan seminarians. Evening includes dinner, silent auction and fellowship. Silent auction items are needed! Contact Shelia at sheliafoggo@gmail.com or Laura at lfoley929@gmail.com to help. Details: Tickets can be purchased at https://bit.ly/HGHarvest2023.
St. Paul, Trunk or Treat, Saturday, Oct. 28 at 6:30 p.m. Sign up your trunk today! Help us bring the best and safest Halloween event to all. Details: church office (601) 992-9547.
HERNANDO – Holy Spirit, Cocktails and Catholicism, Friday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. Doors open 6:30 p.m. Guest speaker is Rebekah Zachary, associate director of Campus and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Memphis. Topic is “The Kerygma – the building blocks to a devout life.” Adults only. BYOB. Details: Sign up in the Narthex or visit https://bit.ly/CatholicCocktailsOct23.
Holy Spirit, Drive-through Pet Blessings, Monday, Oct. 2, time to be announced. All pets are welcome! Details: church office (662) 429-7851.
Holy Spirit, Scripture and the Rosary, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 11, 18 and 25 from 1-2:30 p.m. in the little parish hall. October is celebrated as the month of the Holy Rosary. Join us for four sessions for this very special month. Details: church office (662) 429-7851.
FOREST – St. Michael, Celebrating St. Michael’s Day, Sunday, Oct. 8 at Gaddis Park. Mass at 10 a.m. with festivities after. Details: church office (601) 469-1916.
JACKSON – Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle, Fellowship Night on Wednesday, Oct. 4. Schedule: 4:30 p.m. Adoration, 5:30 p.m. pot luck meal in the center and 7 p.m. presentation by Father Nick in the church followed by Benediction. Details: church office (601) 969-3125.
JACKSON – St. Richard, Special Kids Golf tournament at Deerfield Country Club in Canton on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023. Details: church office (601) 366-2335 or saintrichard.com.
St. Richard School, Cardinal Booster Dinner, Thursday, Nov. 9 with Coach Mike Bianco of Ole Miss. Cost $250 per ticket (admits two). Enjoy Mass at 5:15, then cocktail social, silent auction and “meet and greet” with Coach Bianco, catered dinner at 6:45 p.m. with address by Coach. Details: Coach Nelson rnelson@saintrichardschool.org.
JACKSON – Christ the King, Blessing of the Pets, Saturday, Oct. 7 at 10 a.m. Please bring your pet on a leash or in a carrier. Details: church office (601) 948-8867.
MADISON – St. Francis, Fall Parish Mission “Igniting the Light of Christ within you,” Oct. 1-3 at 6:30 p.m. each night in the church. Featured speaker is Paul Koleske. Hear practical techniques you can use to increase your connection with the presence of the Holy Spirit. All are welcome! Details: church office (601) 856-5556.
St. Francis, Taste of St. Francis Feast takes us around the world on Sunday, Oct. 8 in the Family Life Center following 10:30 a.m. Mass. Details: parish office at 601-856-5556 or Amy at 601-953-4182.
MERIDIAN – St. Joseph, Harvest Fest, Saturday, Oct. 7 from 11 am to 2 p.m. Enjoy this day of fellowship and fun! There will be youth activities, plenty of food and more. Details: contact Rhonda (601) 227-1199.
NATCHEZ – St. Mary Basilica, Blessing of the Animals, Sunday, Oct. 1 at 3 p.m. at the Family Life Center and Prayer Garden. Please have pets on a leash or in a carrier. Bring pictures of pets who are unable to join us. Donations of pet food welcome. Details: church office (601) 445-5616.
St. Mary Basilica, Knights of Columbus Spaghetti Dinner, Sunday, Oct. 15 in the O’Connor Family Life Center, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Take out and dine in. Tickets $10. Details: Darren at (601) 597-2890 or church office (601) 445-5616.
OLIVE BRANCH – Queen of Peace, Halloween Bash, Sunday, Oct. 29 beginning at 5 p.m. Enjoy games, food, trunk or treat and more. All are welcome! Details: church office (662) 895-5007.
PEARL – St. Jude, Day-trip Pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Alabama, Saturday, Oct. 28. Tour the Shrine, Mass, Adoration and more. Cost est. $75. Details: email kmcgregor@stjudepearl.org or call (601) 939-3181.
SOUTHAVEN – Christ the King, Fall Festival, Saturday, Oct. 7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Food, games, raffles, white elephant sale and more! Details: church office (662) 342-1073.
Christ the King, Pumpkin Patch, Sept. 27 to Oct. 30. Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 12-7 p.m.
Christ the King, Halloween Bash, Saturday, Oct. 28 in the social hall. Adults only. Enjoy a night with DJ Fernando, dancing, food, fun and frights. Adults only, cost $25 per person.
Christ the King, Gala Dinner with World Youth Day Community, Saturday, Oct. 21 from 5:30-8 p.m. in the religious ed building. Delicious food, keynote speeches by youth leaders, live performances, inspiring stories of personal triumph, door prize religious articles from Fatima and Lisbon and more! Cost: family ticket $50 (3 adults and 2 or more kids); Adult ticket for one $20. Details: church office (662) 342-1073.
STARKVILLE – St. Joseph, Fall Trivia Night, Thursday, Oct. 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the St. Joseph parish hall. Cost $20/person – $10/college student. Details: email ben.bachman@gmail.com for reservations and other questions.
VICKSBURG – Knights of Columbus 898, $3,000 Drawdown, Sunday, Oct. 8 at 6 p.m. Tickets $75 each. One ticket gets one draw and dinner for two. Details: kc898.square.site or see any 898 Knight. Hall located at 310 Fisher Ferry Road.
NOTICES & OTHER EVENTS
BAY ST. LOUIS Save-the-Date, Divine Word Missionaries Centennial celebration of St. Augustine Seminary, Oct. 28-29. Enjoy historical exhibits, tours, food, entertainment, raffles, a Jazz procession, Mass and more.
JOB OPENINGS Catholic schools across the diocese have a variety of positions open. Please visit https://jacksondiocese.org/employment for an opportunity near you.
INDIANAPOLIS Eucharistic Congress, July 17-21, 2024. Registration is now open. See what Our Lord has in store for this next chapter for the Catholic Church in United States. Purchase tickets at https://bit.ly/3ydav9Q. Details: EucharisticCongress.org.
INDIANAPOLIS National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC), Nov. 16-18, 2023 at the Indiana Convention Center. This distinctly Catholic three-day conference will include opportunities for spiritual growth, prayer, learning and service. For more information, visit ncyc.us.
NASHVILLE Billings Ovulation Method Teacher Training, Oct. 19-21. Learn the science of fertility in order to monitor reproductive health and wellness. Cost: $750. Details: events.boma-usa.org.
SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT
DOWNINGTOWN, PA – Day of Prayer for the Health and Wellness of Clergy and Men and Women Religious, scheduled for Friday, Oct. 20. The main event for is a live-streamed Mass from the Our Lady of Hope Chapel on Saint John Vianney Center’s campus at 10 a.m. CST. The goal of this day is to raise awareness of the need to support our men and women in ministry and to pray for them in solidarity as one community of faith. No cost to participate. Details: https://www.sjvcenter.org/dayofprayer/.
SAINT LOUIS, MO – The North American Vocation Team (NAVT) of the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) invites young adults ages 18 and older to a monthly online evening prayer on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. CST via Zoom. Upcoming dates for evening prayer are Oct. 24 and Nov. 28. Details: ssnd.org/events/.